ALTHOUGH the new school year has only just started, for many parents and pupils it is time to start thinking about applying for a place at secondary or primary school for September 2016.

As a parent myself whose children were educated locally, I appreciate both what an important choice this is and how difficult it can be decide which schools to put on the form.

I urge all those who are making such applications to check the guidelines on the council’s website at www.swindon.gov.uk/schoolplaces.

There will be drop-in sessions and other advice to guide you.

Please note the dates when the processes close.

For secondary schools and Year 10 at the UTC, the deadline is Saturday, October 31 2015.

If you are looking for a primary school place you have until Friday January 15, 2016.

If this is the first time you have been through this process, you will be surprised at just how quickly the time passes.

The good news is that well over 90 per cent of children receive a place at their preferred schools, making Swindon one of the top places in the country for supporting parental choice.

From the years I have been a councillor, including my time as Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, my main advice is that you list a number of schools.

Don’t rely on making a single choice, as you may be disappointed.

If you have no second preference, the system may assume that you consider all other schools equal, which may not be the case.

I’m pleased to say that since 2003 this Administration has invested heavily in local schools, either building new ones or expanding existing schools.

This has come at a heavy price of well over £150m.

If anyone says this council has debts that is the principal area where we have invested money, because we know that it is vital for the town’s children and our economic future.

We are not going to rest on our laurels as you can see from the Vision that Cabinet approved on September 9.

The second of the four priorities underpinning this Vision is that we will “offer education opportunities that lead to the right skills and right jobs in the right places.”

Pledge 15 shows that we will seek to achieve this by building one secondary and 12 primary schools, in addition to the two Free Schools that the government will fund.